Liquid dispensing apparatus



Feb. 22, 1955 1.. e. BATES LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1949 u 7 QZ m m ma w q H 1, VB. 2 8 9 Z I G Y fl 4 u w .N N w WY AB L United States Patent LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Lawrence G. Bates, Cleveland, Ohio Application December 3, 1949, Serial No. 130,983

4 Claims. (Cl. 222-307) In the dispensing of liquids, particularly where uniform amounts are important, it is necessary that interference of air in the dispensing chamber be avoided. Where a supply of liquid is fed to an element which alternately receives its charge of liquid and then by change of position releases such charge in the release portion of the cycle, the interior of the device is cut off from the liquid supply but is opened to air inlet, and on the movement to re-charge the air has to be eliminated in order to allow a proper filling of liquid. Where the dispensing device can be positioned directly under the container for the liquid supply, air trapped in the dispensing device can bubble up and out through the supply container. In accordance with the present invention, the dispenser may be connected to a supply container laterally, and yet be free from difficulty in air trapping. The construction also is positive in action. Also, it can be made inexpensively. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on a plane substantially indicated by the line 111, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view partly in section, showing the relationship of the interior construction and operating handle;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on a plane substantially indicated by line V, Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a modified form;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section thereof taken on a plane substantially indicated by line VII, Fig 6; and f Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of another modified orm.

In general, the construction involves a dispenser-housing 2 having a discharge outlet nozzle 3 below, and a feed inlet connection 4 above and to one side of center. As seen more clearly in Fig. 3, the dispenser-housing thus provides a central discharge outlet, while the inlet has the peculiarity of joining to the container C horizontally, but thence bending downwardly to enter the dispenser-housing at a level which is not higher than the center point of the opening at the container. Furthermore, the opening at the dispenser-housing is slightly larger than the diameter of the opening at the container C. An angle of about 45 in general represents the change of direction from the center of the opening at the container to the center of the opening at the dispenser-housing. Within the dispenser-housing is a liquid receiving unit member 6. Conveniently this may be in the form of a hollow cylinder fitting closely in the cylindrical dispenser-housing, and being oscillatable therein, and having an inlet port 7 and an outlet port 8, positioned such that when the inlet port 7 is opened to the supply container, the port 8 is closed against the lateral wall of the dispenser-housing. And then on turning the liquid receiver member 6 through to about a right angle, the port 7 is closed against the upper dispenser-housing wall, and the port 8 is opened to the discharge nozzle 3. As indicated in Fig. 3, the handle H when in its upper position, brings the port 7 into registry with the supply conduit 4, and when the handle is in its horizontal position the port 7 is closed against the dispenser-housing, and the port 8 is opened to the discharge nozzle. The operating handle H has a definite restricted path of motion, as determined by the slot 10 in the dispenser-housing, and the handle is secured to the inner liquid receiving member so as to turn it correspondingly within the housing.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, the inner liquid receiving member 6, as a hollow cylinder has an end head 12 with extending flange 13 to fit against the end of the housing 2, while the other end of the member 6 has no wall. A partition 15 in the liquid receiving member or inner cylinder 6 is provided with a groove, which may be partly formed by reinforcing the thickness of the partition at 16, and within this groove the handle stem 17 fits, and if preferred its lower end may extend far enough to be secured in the inner cylinder, while above it passes through an opening in the inner cylinder and is secured thereto. If the device be made of metal, the handle may be secured in the openings in the inner cylinder by drive fit or screw threads; of if the material of the device be a plastic, the handle may be cemented in place or be held by screw threading. In any event, the handle H is for operating purposes substantially integral with the inner cylinder, and rocking of the handle rocks the inner liquid receiving member or cylinder for charge and discharge, as noted. It is thus seen that the handle both operates the inner liquid receiving member and by engagement in the slot 10 holds the elements in assembly.

A small vent 9 in the housing 2 cooperates with a vent 11 in the inner liquid receiving member 6 when the latter is turned to its discharge position, and thereby air can enter and allow escape of the liquid. In some instances, as shown in Fig. 6 the vent 9' in the housing can open to a duct 25 formed on the housing and extending into the container C and ending above the liquid content. This arrangement provides a combination utility. It not only vents the air when the handle is turned to discharge position as illustrated, but when the handle is turned to filling position, the handle up, an additional vent 9" in the inner member in the general plane of the handle registers with the vent 9 and allows extra escape of air through duct 25 during filling. This has some value with liquids which are of viscous character.

It is to be emphasized that the relationship of the liquid inlet to the dispenser-housing 2 is peculiar. If the relative level of the dispenser-housing were raised, trapping of air would occur and interfere with orderly filling and discharge. However, by the peculiar difference in level and angularity, the device fills and discharges without interference by trapped air.

Where it is desired to change the amount of liquid dispensed at each movement of the operating handle, this may be readily accomplished by such means as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, wherein the dispenser-housing and inlet conduit 4 with respect to the container C are as seen foregoing, but the inner liquid receiving member or cylinder 6' has an adjustable end 18, there being screw-threaded engagement between it and the housing, such that if the end section be screwed into its inner limit, a certain capacity, for example 32 cc. is provided, but if it be set at its outermost position, the capacity is correspondingly increased for example, to 36 cc. This position as illustrated in Fig. 7 may be precisely attained by the interposition of two filler or spacer rings 20, 21 between the end of the housing 2 and the flange 23 of the section 18. Or, by using only the one spacer ring 20, the capacity may be adjusted to an intermediate between, for example 34 cc. In similar manner, a larger number of thinner spacer rings may be variously used for finer gradation of the amount dispensed.

The filler rings may of course be omitted where desired, the extent to which the adjustable section is screwed in then constituting the measurement adjustment. The use of the rings however gives a more positive lock against derangement of the adjusted position.

In a further form of the construction with the feature of the handle holding the assembly together, the inner liquid receiving member, as shown at Fig. 8, may have a plurality of sockets 28, 29, to selectively receive the handle H, such sockets being formed in a thickened buttress 27 extending in from the end wall 12". According to the socket in which the handle is set, the capacity or length of the chamber may be adjusted as desired. The handle may be held by frictional engagement or by screw threading. In whatever socket the handle is set, it always rides in the slot and holds the assembly together.

Where the inner member has adjustahility of position, its porting as illustrated at 7", Fig. 8, is elongated so as to register with the housing porting for all capacities. A rectangular form of port is also particularly advantageous. Where a longer throw of the operating handle than an arc of about 90 is not objectionable, only one port for alternately registering with the passage 4 from the container and with the outlet 3 is necessary.

As a further convenience in construction, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the handle H can be formed integral with the end wall 12' of the inner liquid receiving member or cylinder 6, and the range of throw for the handle H may be determined by a cut-out 24 at the end of the dispenser-housing 2, this being of segmental extent, about 90, whereby the handle H operates between the horizontal and vertical stops s formed by the segmental cut-out.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In liquid dispensing apparatus, a dispenser-housing having a discharge outlet below and a feed inlet above and to one side of center, a cylindrical liquid receiving member oscillable on its axis within said housing and having a port to alternate between open and closed positions relative to said feed inlet and a port simultaneously to alternate between closed and open positions relative to said discharge outlet, a head closing one end portion of said cylindrical liquid receiving member, a partition spaced in from said head, a diametral groove on the outer side of said partition, an operating handle secured in said groove and oscillating said cylindrical liquid receiving member, and a slot in the periphery of the end portion of said housing as a guideway for the throw of said handle.

2. In liquid dispensing apparatus, a one-piece housing having an open and a closed end forming a cylindrical chamber and having a discharge outlet in the cylindrical portion thereof and a feed inlet in the cylindrical portion thereof opposite to said discharge outlet, a onepiece cylindrical liquid receiving member having an open and a closed end oscillatable on its axis within said chamber and having a port in the cylindrical portion thereof, to alternate between open and closed positions relative to said feed inlet and another port in the cylindrical portion thereof, simultaneously to alternate between closed and open positions relative to said discharge outlet, said closed ends being opposite to each other, said liquid receiving member being axially removable from said housing in the direction in which its closed end is positioned and a radially projecting handle on said liquid receiving member, said housing being formed with a slot extending transversely with respect to the axislof said member, said handle projecting through said slot and said slot limiting the oscillatory movement thereof, whereby said handle constitutes the sole means for retaining said liquid receiving member against axial displacement from said housing.

3. In liquid dispensing apparatus, a one-piece housing having an open and a closed end forming a cylindrical chamber having a discharge outlet in the cylindrical portion thereof and a feed inlet in the cylindrical portion thereof opposite to said discharge outlet, a one-piece cylindrical liquid receiving member having an open and a closed end oscillatable on its axis within said chamber and having a port in the cylindrical portion thereof, to alternate between open and closed positions relative to said feed inlet and another port in the cylindrical portion thereof, simultaneously to alternate between closed and open positions relative to said discharge outlet, said closed ends being opposite to each other, said liquid receiving member being axially removable from said housing in the direction in which its closed end is positioned, said closed end on the liquid receiving member being provided with a radially extending flange abutting the open end of said housing and terminating with the exterior surface of said housing to form a smoothly rounded exterior corner, and a radially projecting handle on said liquid receiving member, said housing being formed with a slot extending transversely with respect to the axis of said member, said handle projecting through said slot and said slot limiting the oscillatory movement thereof, whereby said handle retains said liquid receiving member against axial displacement from said housing.

4. In liquid dispensing apparatus, a one-piece housing having an open and a closed end forming a cylindrical chamber and having a discharge outlet in the cylindrical portion thereof, and a feed inlet in the cylindrical portion thereof opposite to said discharge outlet, a one piece cylindrical liquid receiving member oscillatable on its axis within said chamber and having a port in the cylindrical portion thereof, to alternate between open and closed positions relative to said feed inlet and another port in the cylindrical portion thereof, simultaneously to alternate between closed and open positions relative to said discharge outlet, said closed ends being opposite to each other, said liquid receiving member beingaxially removable from said housing in the direction in which its closed end is positioned, and a radially projecting handle on said liquid receiving member, the latter being provided with axially spaced attaching means for said handle, said housing being formed with a slot extending transversely with respect to the axis of said member, said slot limiting the oscillatory movement thereof, said handle projecting through said slot whereby said handle retains said liquid receiving member against aixal displacement from said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 154,418 Reed et al. Aug. 25, 1874 844,065 Wares et al. Feb. 12, 1907 874,757 Fox Dec. 24, 1907 1,405,753 Bush Feb. 7, 1922 1,536,854 Holderle et al. May 5, 1925 1,544,449 Haarberg et al. June 30, 1925 1,834,628 Marshall Dec. 1, 1931 1,945,849 Ferrandino Feb. 6, 1934 1,993,021 Slaten Mar. 5, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS 743 Great Britain Jan. 11, 1896 

